Table 1 Ethical considerations for intergenerational environmental justice

1

Consent/Respect for Autonomy: Members of future generations cannot consent to risks and harms imposed by earlier generations.

2

Nonmaleficence: Members of future generations are harmed, via health deficits associated with epigenetics, due to exposure of ancestors to DDT (and other toxicants).

3

Justice: Members of future generations bear a disproportionate balance of risks and harms, whereas members of the current generation, when DDT is being used, enjoy disproportionate benefits.